Source: www.northamptonchron.co.uk
Author: staff

A mouth cancer patient who was told he had only a year to live is celebrating after being given the all clear from doctors.

In May this year, Brian Barford was given the awful news after he had been referred by a dentist to Northampton General Hospital where he was told he had mouth cancer.

The 66-year-old said: “My mouth had been bleeding but I had no other signs. I had no idea – there had been no swelling or anything.

“I saw the consultant who said the tumour was too near the vital organs to operate on and there was nothing they could do. It was just a matter of time.

“They told me I had around a year to live.

“It hit me like a ton of bricks.

“I accepted it, though I was never going to give up, but I thought, ‘I’m 66, and I’ve had a good life.'”

Mr Barford, from Kings Heath, Northampton, decided to enjoy the time he had left and spend his days with loved ones. He went running, drank beer and, following a two-week course of radiotherapy, took a well-earned holiday with family and friends.

On hearing the news Mr Barford had been diagnosed with cancer, colleagues at his former workplace, Phoenix Paving LTD, in Kettering, took their old workmate for a day to remember, watching the cricket at Lord’s.

With the onslaught of cancer, his weight plummeted from 14 to 11 stone. His wife Susan, aged 56, gave up her job as an assistant carer to look after him.

But last week, during a routine check-up, he requested another scan … with miraculous results.

Brian simply wanted to know if the tumour had grown, but the consultant had other news.

Mr Barford said: “The doctor came over and couldn’t stop smiling. He said to me ‘It’s gone. There’s no trace of it.'”

He added: “I’m dumbfounded. I’m so pleased. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.

“There are lots of people who aren’t so lucky, but you can never give up hope.

“I want to enjoy life and hopefully me and Susan will have a few more years together.

“I’d like to get back to work if I can too. I like to keep busy.”